I have been around the block a few times, and I hope to keep circling for quite a while! My life has had a lot of ups and downs, but through it all I have managed to (mostly) have a blast! I was born and raised in Tampa, FL, lived in NYC for 13 years and then moved to Long Island to raise my family, and have now lived in Philadelphia for almost 4 years. It’s a wonderful city, full of beautiful locations, great places to eat and run, (that is, eat, and run- not eat and run!) and interesting, diverse and vibrant people.

I moved to NYC to attend Parsons School of Design, and although I didn’t major in photography, I got a good base for it there. The design training that I received has been invaluable in everything that I have done. Right after school I started dancing professionally (I have danced since the age of 4) until I ripped my knee up and “fell back” on my education just like my parents said I would! I opened my first boutique in Chelsea- Bumbleberry’s, and designed, hand-painted, appliqued, etc. 98% of the merchandise. Two years later I closed the store to concentrate on a children’s novelty product that a partner and I created, manufactured and wholesaled together. Along the way I also baked for a couple of restaurants, worked as a shoe model and free-lanced for an advertising agency- typical life of an artist! Got married, had my son in the city and moved out to Long Island when I was expecting my twin daughters. I began photography when, like a lot of moms, my friends wanted me to photograph their kids as well as I did my own! After opening my second boutique in Bay Shore- Bumblebabies- it seemed natural to add a photo studio inside, as the two businesses worked together so well. Business was great and I really enjoyed working with clients from engagement to a growing family. I moved to Philly for a new chapter of my life, with an empty nest and the desire to just concentrate on the photography part of the business.

My photography is intimate, fun, spontaneous, relaxed, and all about the subject- not the background, props or fake poses! Photographers I love include Edward Keating, Tyler Hicks, Dorthea Lange and Helen Levitt, to name a few. I did my first wedding photography with Mark Kauffman of Angelica Studios, who was wonderful to work for and taught me so much.

My award for bravest bride goes to Jennifer, for willingly being dragged up a steep path toward a gazebo overlooking the Schuylkill River behind Philly’s Art Museum in her strapless gown and peek-toe high heels that was covered in 2″ of slush during a rare Oct.30th sleet storm. She was a great sport, and the images made it all worthwhile!

I love my Nikon cameras and lenses, but anyone can have a good camera- it’s what you do with it that matters!

Make sure your personalities don’t clash; take the time to really talk to prospective photographers and see that you have a meeting of the minds with your goals for your wedding photography.

I am a triathlete, and I can guarantee that I will bring the same high energy and rigorous training to photograph your wedding as I do to my races!

One Comment

Dec 11, 2012 @ 22:05Maureen says...

Nicki’s work is amazing. She took my daughters’ pictures when they were younger and I I have traveled from LI to Philadelphia to have them taken again. It was well worth the trip. (And she is a wonderful person!)

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